Letter to the Chairman from the Minister
for Defence Equipment and Support
As part of a continuing drive towards business
improvement, I have agreed to the launch of the PACE (Performance
Agility Confidence and Efficiency) change programme within Defence
Equipment and Support (DE&S).
This strategic initiative is the continuation
of work, which began with the merger of the Defence Logistics
Organisation (DLO) and the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA), to
define the future business model for DE&S. PACE is an effectiveness
driven exercise based on a realistic assessment of skills, numbers
and capabilities required to deliver our forward plan to improve
support to the frontline. Current estimates suggest that DE&S
is likely to employ around 20,000 by 2012 which would allow us
to support the requirements of the Comprehensive Spending Review
(CSR) 07 which seeks to focus defence spending to the front line.
This reduction would enable DE&S to fulfil
the strategic intent of consolidating more business at Abbey Wood,
Bristol by 2012. Subject to departmental approval and Trades Union
consultation later this summer it is proposed that DE&S would
withdraw completely from Ensleigh, Brampton, Andover North and
Wyton by 2012, with the majority of the activities transferring
to Abbey Wood. This would be in addition to extant plans for DE&S
to withdraw from Foxhill, Andover South and Caversfield. Every
support and assistance will be offered to staff affected by this
decision to ensure that disruption to their work and home life
is minimised.
The overall impact on the Defence Estate as
a whole and the future use of the sites vacated by DE&S would
be reviewed and alternative defence uses sought. Project HYPERION
at Andover and Project PRIDE at Wyton are already in train. They
may be affected by the implications of the PACE programme but
we will ensure that these projects are taken forward coherently
with DE&S estates plans as they are developed and refined.
Staff are being informed of this proposal today
and we will continue to work closely with the Trades Unions on
these issues. Continued support for operations now and in the
future remains paramount.
The Rt Hon Baroness Ann Taylor PC
7 March 2008
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